Articles by Guest Contributor
Guest contributors write for FashionUnited on a voluntary basis to share their expertise and highlight topics that matter to fashion industry professionals.
Trump's tariffs: Unexpected boom for second-hand clothing market
Around a month ago, Donald Trump turned his favourite word ‘tariffs’ into a much-feared reality. The result? Panic in the fashion world, stock market prices that are trembling, and brands that are frantically calculating price increases in Excel spreadsheets. Because one thing is certain: ‘new’ will soon be a lot more expensive. But while brands...
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Does sustainability really sell? Fashion industry leaders reveal the truth
Sustainability is a term that’s increasingly popping up in shop windows, clothing tags, headlines, and more, especially when it comes to the fashion industry. This not-so-new buzzword has spread rapidly in recent years, largely as a response to the industry’s growing environmental and social challenges. But does it really sell? Can ethical...
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Runway to rip-offs: How copyright protects your creations
Fashion weeks have come to a close. If you're a designer, stylist, or fashion lover, you're likely to be buzzing with inspiration. But at what point does taking inspiration cross the line into copying? And what can you do if someone steals your design? We’ve previously covered design rights and using your name as your brand (i.e. trade mark)....
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10 Tips for salary negotiations in the fashion industry
Negotiating a salary in a competitive and specialised sector like fashion can be a challenge. However, it can also be a turning point in your career, whether it’s to advance within a company or to take a new professional direction. Regardless of the position you are aspiring to, proper preparation will make all the difference. In this article,...
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Clutch, dress, contract: A beginner’s guide to contracts
Contracts. What are they? Why are they important? Why should you care? Historically, contracts have got a bad reputation for being time-consuming, hard to understand and costly. Those criticisms are still applicable, but they don’t have to be. Contracts are one of the ways that you can protect your business, your products and safeguard against...
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10 essential soft skills for a career in the fashion and luxury industry
It's a fact: competition is intense and expectations are high in the luxury and fashion industry. A successful career in these sectors requires both technical skills and interpersonal competencies. “Soft skills” play a key role in the ability to build relationships, innovate, and meet the needs of a demanding clientele. Here are our top 10...
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The 7 biggest sustainability reporting mistakes that damage fashion brands’ reputation
The end of the year is approaching, bringing with it a recap of everything accomplished over the past months. December is a time for wrapping up, and fashion brands begin preparing their annual reports. Sustainability stands out as the key focus in non-financial reports. Whether due to regulatory requirements or the need to convey transparency...
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Generation Alpha: How fashion players can target tomorrow’s consumers
Generation Alpha refers to individuals born from 2010 onward. As the first generation to be fully born in the 21st century, they are growing up in a world marked by rapid technological advancements, social changes, and environmental consciousness. While they do not yet earn their own money, they’re already very influential on their parents’...
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What to know when using your name for your brand
When creating a new business or brand, one of the many issues to be considered is what to call it. For a designer, the most obvious naming choice is to use their own name, or a variant of their own name. It is common practice within the fashion and cosmetics industries for a designer or founder to name the brand after themself, and there can be...
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Fashion Police: Types of fraud the US False Claims Act can target in the fashion industry
What does whistleblower law have to do with fashion? Despite the glitz and glamor, the fashion industry ultimately deals in merchandise and must face unsexy topics like supply chain issues, warehousing, shipping, and customs. This article will give a brief overview of the history of US government enforcement against fashion brands for evading...
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